MC Aitor Gonzalez and Sender McSenderson

The sun beat down the whole day over the classic Andorran resort of Vallnord for the 7th Stop on the Nike Chosen Series, and when all was said and done Bermat Ripoll’s consistent class saw him nab a spot at the end-of-season Chosen Session for his efforts.

MVP Bermat Ripoll

On a South facing slope the local ASP shaper crew worked tirelessly to get the kicker (15m to the sweet spot) riding well for all the competitors that turned up to show their skills, while MC Aitor Gonzalez and the park DJ Krapulia made sure it was the hottest place on the mountain that day.

Xavi Rodriguez

With all riders getting into the session Xavi Rodriguez took Most Creative with an old school Suitcase Air and a super inventive BS Rodeo 5 Nosegrab. Josep Falga stood out with an inverted front 5, an Indy 5 and FS 7 Melon and ultimately claimed Best Style. The Best Female award went to Beth Climont Gerie showing style with a BS 3 and a Tailgrab; but with consistency, style and a multitude of switch tricks it was Bermat Ripoll who bagged the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) with SW BS 7 Stalefish, BS 5 Indy, SW BS 7 and FS 5 and in so doing earned his place at the Nike Chosen Sessions in April.

Beth Climont Gerie

RESULTS

Best Overall (MVP) Bermat Rupoll
Most Creative Xavi Rodriguez
Best Style Josep Flaga
Best Female Beth Climont Gerie

Winners

www.nikechosenseries.com

NEXT STOP ON THE NIKE CHOSEN SERIES – AUSTRIA. HOCHKONIG 26.02.12

If you’re not the video kind of guy here’s an in-depth report of the haps:

Spring time showed up in a magic saturday in Vallnord, Andorra, for the 3Star Swatch TTR Slopestyle Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest, the second international stop of the World Rookie Tour 2011.

The rookies started trainings from early morning on 3 jumps and the final rail set to find their perfect run. Timmy Saisa from Sweden show a solid style during the qualication day but in the first two run of the final nothing was done. Lewis Courtier-Jones (GBR) challenged until the end for the first position but Timmy Saisa get the maximum score of the day on his third run including cab5, bs7, fs5, 50-50 180out. Timmy won an all-inclusive invitation to the Protest World Rookie Finals, a ticket to the Ride Shake Down in Garmisch, a ticket to the Protes Manifest and a ticket to the next World Rookie Tour stop in Czech Republic. Cristian Botella (ESP) took the third position on the rookie category while “local hero” Manex Azula got injured during the trainings.

The little blondie french Chloe Sillieres, 13 years old, showed an high level for this age, landing smooth bs3, fs3 and nice frontside5. She was super stocked to won an invitation for free at the Protest World Rookie Finals. On the grom side, Bing Voorham from Netherland was impressive and as well the spanish Pau Bartolo. They did their best stomping every trick against Benjamin Lestage (SWE) but the swedish took the first position among the groms with a huge cab5, fs7, bs3 and a boardslide switch out on the rail. Second place for Voorham (NED) and third for Bartolo (SPA).

The World Rookie Tour is now moving to East Europe with the third edition of the East Rookie Fest in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, from 18 to 20 March and the Transilvania Rookie Fest in Romania, from 25 to 27 March.

The Protest World Rookie Tour rolls on to Vallnord in the Pyrenees this February, with some of the hottest groms in the area being drawn to this 3-star TTR event.

After a great kick off event in Livigno, Italy, the World Rookie Tour keep on rolling to the next stop in Vallnord, Andorra, from 17 to 20 february 2011 for the Swatch TTR 3Star Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest.

“After the first edition in 2010, Vallnord and local organizer Aleks Sanz from WSS are now ready to upgrade the rookie fest in Andorra to a 3 star level. It will be a great experience for all West Europe rookies and snowboard fans! ” stated Marco Sampaoli from WSF.

The park that will host Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest is made the by ASP SNOWPARKS, the best company in Spain. “Vallnord and ASP are stoked to have this event again after the great success of the last year. There’s a luck of snow in Andorra but the snowpark is great and it’s going to be awesome” stated Aleks Sanz, the organizer of the event.

Vallnord hosts high quality freestyle area and a special slopestyle will be presented for the Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest. Don’t miss the second west european edition of the most famous youth event!

The event in Vallnord will assign the following prizes:

2 tickets to enter for free the Protest World Rookie Finals in Ischgl, Italy, from 4 to 11 april 2010
1 ticket to the next Rookie Fest in Serbia or in Czech Republic
Snowboard goodies from the sponsors
1 Ticket to the Ride Shake Down in Garmisch (Germany)
2 Tickets to the Protest Manifest in Formigal (Spain)

The Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest is organized by World Snowboard Federation and Wssactionsports (WSS) and it is made possible thanks to Protest Boardwear and Ride Snowboards, Vallnord Ski Resort and Turistic Office, supported by Pirate Movie Productions, energized by RedBull, supported by Tech Riders. You can follow the Protest Pyrenees Rookie Fest on our international media partners Onboard European Snowboard Magazine, Cooler.

If your dream is to become a professional snowboarder, then your future starts from the Rookie Fests! Check out more info about the Protest World Rookie Tour.

Vallnord was where the Spanish rippers came out to play and prove the level of their scene. Blending difficult tech tricks with a high emphasis on style, competitors brought bangers like 360s both ways to the stair set, but also unexpected gems like a front flip out on the Kinked Ledge. After a raging qualifying session, the finals were held in complete darkness as night session under heavy-duty spotlights.

Standouts included Julien Vilmin’s 50-50 to Frontflip out on the Kinked Ledge, while Juan “Polan” Polanco took first place by dropping hammers and oozing bags of style. Juan’s bag of tricks included bangers such as Cab 360 to 50-50, BS 360 to 50-50 as well as the most stylish backside lip of the entire tour so
far.

By securing the win at this official TTR 2-Star event, Juan has also earned himself the Ticket to the Big Final of the Tour at Nike 6.0 Air & Style 2011 in
Munich on February 12th, 2011, where he will compete against the other winners of the Tour, and the world’s best jib riders in a Best Trick Rail Battle for a
total purse of $20,000 in front of 25,000 spectators!

RESULTS

1. Juan Polanco ESP
2. Matias Ian ESP
3. Ivan Alconada Hernandez ESP
4. Laurent Duhalde FRA
5. Julian Vilmin FRA
6. David Hidalgo Perlas ESP
7. Josep Falga ESP
8. Anto Brotto ESP
9. Roc Sagrista Garcia ESP
10. Bernat Ripoll Molera ESP